I'm so sorry for the huge delay. Between a new job role and writers block that is being shared over in Italy (and soon to be New Mexico); I have had no time or ideas to complete a chapter. But I pushed through for you, my lovelies! The next chapter will be up shortly. Enjoy!!

Logan opened the door and grinned when he saw who was on the other side.

"Well well. The Cavalry has arrived."

Mac grinned and impulsively hugged Logan.

"Don't worry Echolls, we'll sort this out".

Logan stepped back and let her in. His mind was racing as he closed the door, trying to work out where to start. He was about to make a suggestion when the balcony door slid open.

"Dude! Why the hell is the freaky PC chick here?"

Dick scowled at Mac, mentally preparing himself to face the ex-girlfriend of his little brother. While he had never really seen eye to eye with Mac, she served as a massive reminder to what had happened with Cassidy.

Mac hesitated and nervously turned to glance at Logan. His face was like thunder.

"Dick – for once in your life, learn when to shut up".

"Has this got something to do with that crazy ass ex of yours? I would have expected her to turn up here, begging for some....."

He never got to finish what he was about to say. Logan had him up against the balcony door so fast that he even surprised himself.

"If you bag her out one more time, so help me they will be peeling you off the pavement!"

Dick stared at Logan, his mouth open. He knew Logan was touchy when it came to Veronica, but there was something else going on here.

"Chill! I'm sorry, okay? You know me, I talk before I think. Can't blame me for being myself".

Logan released Dick and stepped back, relenting wearily. It had been a very long day.

Dick stood immobile for another second, before taking a chance. "Has something happened with Blon.. I mean, Veronica?"

Logan glanced at Dick and began to explain. "Veronica was arrested this morning. They think she killed Celeste Kane, and there is evidence that is making the situation look worse by the minute."

Dick stood stunned. "Celeste is dead? And V..... No, that's impossible! I may not like the little sneak, but she's no killer – she's a good guy!"

Mac, who at this point had a leaden feeling in the pit of her stomach, pulled her laptop out from the carry bag and set it on the table.

Logan continued. "Keith can't investigate it, he's too close. But he has organised for the Feds to keep me updated, and we are going to try to get Veronica out of this."

Dick mulled that over for a minute.

"I'm in. Whatever you need. Even if it's something as simple as being the food getter."

In spite of the mood in the room, both Mac & Logan grinned. Dick always did have a way with words.

Logan turned to Mac. "I have to tell you right now, I have no idea where to start. I watched Veronica do this thing so many times, but right now, I'm clueless."

Mac smiled. "It's alright Logan; we'll work it out as we go. I've called Weevil and Wallace, they'll be here soon."

"Thank you Mac."

"No problem. Now, Casablancas, what was that about the food getter?"

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Two hours in and the room was chaotic. Weevil & Wallace had arrived as promised, and suggestions had been tossed backwards & forwards for the last hour as to how it should be handled. Add that to Dick hovering nervously, not sure if he was allowed to add something, and Mac's headache had progressed into a full blown migraine.

As she sat rubbing her temples, she decided enough was enough. She put her fingers to her mouth and whistled.

Blessed silence settled as the boys turned to look at her.

"Okay, clearly that was not a smart idea" she winced, as her hands moved back to her temples. Dick disappeared into the bathroom.

"I'm going to suggest that we get a copy of the security tape from the Kane Estate. That is the one thing that actually places Veronica on the Kane grounds. Everything else could have been planted."

Logan thought it over and silently agreed. "Okay, so Mac has given us the first step. What if we also got her lawyer to request that the samples be retested at a Lab of our... I mean, Keith's choosing? If they complain that it will waste money, I will offer to cover the costs myself".

Weevil smirked. It was a typical wealthy attitude. "Fair enough Echolls. In the meantime, I'll get some of the PCH'ers to sniff around and find out if there has been any ill will to Veronica in the past few weeks. Well, more than usual anyway."

They all grinned. Dick returned to the room and handed Mac a glass of water and 2 aspirin. Surprised, she took them and flashed him a thankful smile.

Wallace spoke up "Well, as I have no money, and no affiliation with gang members, what should I do?" Weevil punched him on the shoulder for that comment.

Logan though for a second. "Out of all of us, you have spent more time in the Mars Investigations office with Veronica. Seeing as Keith offered us the base, why don't you get the keys off him and start checking through the emails Veronica has been getting in the past few months?

Wallace nodded, relieved that he could be of some use.

Logan turned to Mac "What magic can you do on that machine of yours?"

Mac finished the water before replying. "I'll try to dig up as much info on Celeste as I can. There may be something there of use, but right now I don't know what."

"What about me?"

Everyone turned to face Dick, who had been forgotten in the back of the room.

It was Mac who offered up the suggestion. "Why don't you see if you can get in to see Veronica? I know you aren't the best of buddies, but you have an uncanny way of making people laugh – albeit mostly AT you. You might cheer her up, and if that fails, at least you can let her know that we are working on it."

Dick was quite for a second. "Okay. If worse comes to worse, I can regale her with stories of my sexual escapades. People are always fascinated by that for some reason." He ducked as several pillows were thrown at his head.

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So that was the plan. He smiled and pulled off the earphones. It was worth paying top dollar to get the room under the penthouse. It was also amazing at how good listening devices had become.

"They think they can get her out of this. Well, get ready for a rough ride kids, this won't be easy".

He looked through the files sitting in front of him. By far, the biggest threat would be Echolls, who had already shown he was willing to injure people for Veronica. But his client had warned him about that.

The ball was already rolling.

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Veronica stared at the wall, her mind racing. She could not believe that a whole day was blank, that she couldn't remember anything. She was also concerned about how her father was handling this.

She heard footsteps and then a key turned in the lock of her door. Standing up, she watched as Cliff was led into the cell.

"My my, how the cells have changed. I remember when your father was one for the whole iron bar decor of medieval times".

Veronica managed a small smile that disappeared as quickly as it came.

Cliff motioned her to sit down.

"The evidence isn't good Veronica. Between blood, DNA, the knife in your room and the security tape, there is also local knowledge that you and Celeste were not exactly the best of friends."

She swallowed, unsuccessfully trying to remove the lump in her throat.

"So, what happens now?"

Cliff glanced up from his briefcase. "Your father has had to call in two FBI agents to handle the case, and they would like to talk to you."

"Don't you mean question, or interview, or interrogate? After all, I am a murder suspect". The bitterness was evident in her voice.

Cliff stopped consulting his notes and looked Veronica in the face. "Honey, I know this is hard. I also know that you have a fair idea of the process. But Veronica, this is a serious charge, and the fact that you are drawing a blank on last night is not helping you."

"Don't you think I know that? With nothing to do here but wait, don't you think that I am exhausting every bit of my brainpower with trying to figure out what the hell happened last night? I KNOW it's not good, I KNOW it's not helping, I can't do a damn thing about it!" Veronica slumped in the chair, mentally exhausted.

Cliff's heart broke. The strong little girl he had known for so long was nowhere in sight.

"Agents Guillan & Ward will be here in the morning Veronica."

She nodded without looking at him.

Cliff put his notes back in the briefcase and turned to leave. As he knocked on the door however, he made a decision. He walked back to the table & leaned down to Veronica.

"The agents are not the only ones investigating this, you know."

She looked at him "Dad? He's not supposed to, he could lose his job!"

Cliff shook his head.

"No Veronica. Your friends. And if there is one thing I know, it's this – Logan Echolls would walk through fire for you. Don't think that he won't do his damn hardest to fix this." With that he smiled at her and left.

Veronica started to cry.

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Logan glanced at his ringing phone as he walked to the car. It read Private Number. He hit Answer and pressed the cell to his ear.

"Logan Echolls?"

"Yes, who's this?"

"Just a friendly warning. Stay away from the case & stay away from Veronica Mars."

"Who the hell is this?"

"If you don't take my warning, you'll find out soon enough"

The line went dead.

So, a mystery character with listening devices! And Dick Casablanca has returned......

Any comments on who the character may be? I'm not telling yet... Mwahahahaha...... (My best evil laugh )

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